CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Poultry production is one of the fastest growing among livestock industry and has a substantial contribution to food security and nutrition. Poultry industry has become an essential economic fortune in many countries like Nigeria.
Poultry meat and eggs are the most common animal protein source consumed as the largest agricultural commodities at global level. Over the period, immense improvement has been made in genetic, feed conversation ratio, fat reduction and breed size of broiler chickens and significant improvement in egg production and egg quality in laying hen (Richard, 2007). Broilers meat is one of the primary sources of income and employment to Nigerians compare to other domesticated animals. The broilers have highly sensitive and dynamic organs which plays a critical role in nutrient absorption and immune response. There are several stresses such as feed toxin, infectious agent that induce the cellular free radical generation. The stress can negatively affect the delicate balance among the component of the poultry which in-turn affects the health status and productivity of poultry (FAO 2009).Poultry in most commercial large-scale poultry facilities are exposed to a varying degree of stressful conditions which might culminate into compromising health conditions and economic losses. Disease prevention and control have led to a substantial increase in the use of veterinary drugs, mostly antibiotics. Since antibiotics are banned from the routine practices of animal husbandry due to health and food safety concerns, probiotics are now considered as a viable and promising substitute. Nutritionists are continually gearing their efforts at better and more economical feed but better utilization is very germane. Dietary changes as well as lack of a healthy diet can influence the balance of the microflora in the gut, thus predisposing to digestion upsets. The plant and herbs have been used as an alternate to antibiotics for many years in the treatment of various diseases in animals and humans. The utilization of these medicinal plants has increased due to the value of traditional system and prohibition of most antimicrobial growth (Susana et al., 2019).
In evaluating conventional feed resources, it is important to check the effect of feed resources on health status of the livestock. The medicinal value of these herbal plants cannot be overemphasized such are Xylopia aethopica and Piper guineense (Mgbeahuruike et al., 2019). They have strong medicinal value and could be effectively utilized as natural growth promoters to replace antibiotic and other synthetic feed additives (Okwu and Ekeke 2003). Different authors have reported that these herbal plants have their bioactive constituents which includes nutrients such as minerals, vitamins and non-nutrients such as phytochemical (Okwu, 2005). Studies have shown that apart from the use of these plants as spices and condiments, they have several other applications in the local treatment and management of many disease. These herbal medicinal plants are used for different purposes such as used as antihypertensive (Nworgu et al., 2008) against skin diseases (Ajose, 2007) for antimicrobial infection (Okigbo et al., 2005) and lower high glucose level in the body (Lee, 2009).
Uziza leaf plant also known as Ashanti pepper are vines that grow up to 20m in length, climbing up boles of trees by means of adventitious roots. These are native to tropical regions of central and western Africa and semi-cultivated in countries. Like other member of the pepper family, Ashanti pepper contains 5-8% of the piperine which gives them their “heat”, also they contain large amounts of beta-caryophyllene which is being investigated as an anti-inflammatory agent. They also contain significant proportion (10%) of myristicin elemicin, and safrole (Asawalam et al., 2007). It provides oil used as aromatic in the drinking water industry and also medically. Okwu (2001) reported that phytochemical analysis of Piper guinneese showed that presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, resins and essential oils.
Statement of the problem
The cost of antibiotics substitutes for non-ruminant animals like poultry in Nigeria has been increasing since the last decade. This is because animal compete with human over synthetic antibiotic which result to increase in the developing countries suggests alternative to antibiotics as a probiotic most be identified and evaluated. Given the importance of safe poultry products to food security and contribution to Nations’ gross domestic product, it is imperative to develop indigenous Uziza leaf powder and Uda seeds powder to save costs of improving the nutrient utilization of broilers as a means of optimizing productivity in poultry production.
The medicaments are prepared most often from a combination of two or more plants products which many a time may contains active constituents with multiple physiological activities and could be used in treating various disease conditions over a period of time without proper adverse effect monitoring and considering of toxic effects that might result from such a prolonged use. There is also a problem of finding the real herbal formulation that can cure, manage as well as prevent disease in Nigeria and the world target. The efficacy of different plant herb has been assessed in modern poultry production, but with little or no efforts have been placed on their development to Nigeria livestock.
Aim of the study
The aim of this research study is to investigate the effect of Uziza leaf powder (Piper guineense) and Uda seed powder (Xylopia aethiopica) on oxidative stress indicators of broiler chickens.
Objective of the study
To assess the impact of Uziza leaf powder (Piper guineense) and Uda seed powder (Xylopia aethiopica) on oxidative stress indicators of broiler chickens.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis will be that Uziza leaf powder (Piper guineense) and Uda seed powder (Xylopia aethiopica) will alter or enhance the oxidative stress biomarkers of broiler chickens.
Research questions
The research questions posed on the study are;
1. Can Uziza leaf powder and Uda seed powder serve as a natural alternative to antibiotics?
2. Will the immune response of the broiler chickens be enhanced and/or deteriorated after the inclusion of Uziza leaf powder and Uda seeds powder in poultry diet?
3. Will the Uziza leaf powder and Uda seeds powder stimulate oxidative stress indicators of broiler chickens?
4. What will be the overall impact of adopting the use of Uziza leaf powder and Uda seeds powder as an alternative to antibiotics in poultry production?
Significance of the study
The research project provides information on how to sustain and maintain healthy livestock production with no risk of microbial infections and bacteria resistance. Importantly, the project provides information on how to increase livestock production generally; enhancing animal potentials using Uziza leaf powder and Uda seeds powder instead of antibiotics that leave hazards of chemical residues in animal products meant for human consumption. In addition, the project will assist livestock farmers to enhance animals’ health, welfare towards productivity and profitability.
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